Prempeh College, a contender in Ghana's National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), has lodged a formal protest following a decision made during the 2nd Semifinal contest of the 2023 NSMQ competition held at KNUST Kumasi.
In a statement addressed to the Managing Director of Primetime Limited, the organizers of NSMQ, Prempeh College expressed its displeasure with the outcome of the contest between Prempeh College, Pope John Senior High, and Opoku Ware School. The school is seeking a review of the decision and fair play.
Prempeh College, a powerhouse in the NSMQ, highlighted its significant contribution to the competition's growth and success over the years. The school has won numerous trophies in the contest, with the distinction of being the first school to win the coveted trophy in 1993.
The protest centres on a specific question posed during the competition's last round, Round 5, which led to a dispute over the correct answer. The riddle in question was presented with clues about a physical principle and asked, “So, who am I?” The Prempeh College contestant answered “the principle of superposition,” but the consultant contended that the correct answer was “the principle of linear superposition.”
Prempeh College argued that their contestant's answer was accurate based on several points, including the fact that the principle of superposition, when used in physics, applies to linear systems. They emphasized that there was no specific clue in the riddle restricting the answer to “the principle of linear superposition.”
The school is seeking a fair review of the decision, highlighting the importance of maintaining the competition's integrity and fair play.
The NSMQ has been a platform for showcasing the intellectual prowess of students in Ghana and has garnered significant attention and interest from various segments of society. Prempeh College has called for a resolution to the dispute and a commitment to ensuring that the competition remains fair and transparent.
